But first a quick observation. As of today, only Joe McKnight and Ronald Johnson seem ready to contribute among the freshmen. That is as of today.

Aaron Corp is being prepped as the possible No. 3 QB in the unlikely event John David Booty and Mark Sanchez are injured. In that nightmare scenario, Corp would be the best available QB although he is inexperienced. But he needs to get reps just to be prepared for everything.
Would Mike McDonald be upset if Corp became the starter over him? Probably. But Pete Carroll's never said seniority dictates anything. It's why so many top recruits come to USC. Competition!!!

Wide receiver Damian Williams has watched practice, just like many fans this week. His injury prevents him from doing anything this season.

Now for our favorite topic, Mitch Mustain. So far, he's gotten few reps in practice and it's still too early to really judge him. Perhaps Sunday's scrimmage at the Coliseum will offer a better glimpse. In limited action, he hasn't looked too bad although he was hard on himself the first day.

If USC wins the national title, I would not expect a mass exodus like two years ago. That was a perfect storm. There isn't the same concentration of talent this year. But as always, Pete Carroll would be prepared to deal with any thoughts of players leaving. He's always had plans and he does talk to players about going early, especially after everyone left two years ago. And if did happen, the team would be fine even if most of the players mentioned in the Open Forum question did leave the team.

So far, Joe McKnight's lived up to his billing speed wise and as a receiver. The question to me is whether he's an every-down back at this point, which I asked Steve Sarkisian and included his quote in the blog earlier. My guess is that will come as the season progresses.

USC coaches moved Alex Parsons because they are worried about running out of tackles with Drew Radovich hurt. It's common to see position switches in training camp and sometimes players go back and forth several times like Allen Bradford. But my general rule is players that excel at their original spot do not move.

Here's the USC view on the defensive line positions: A nose guard

There are so many field passes that they can be passed around to different people without one invididual knowing everyone who has them. So it might perturb Michael Jackson to see Carmen Trutanich with one, but he had no way of knowing in advance. He could whine about it to someone but ultimately football controls its passes. Maybe he launched an investigation afterward but my guess is he just redoubled his efforts to keep any of Trutanich's kids from getting into USC.
I haven't checked where Trutanich went to law school but he definitely knows the ins and outs of the Los Angeles legal system better than anyone, so it's really irrelevant where he went to school. He might as well have gone to UCLA.

Any first-string players who might get overtaken? Drew Radovich's injury helps Charles Brown although we're still just a few days into camp so it's awfully early. That would be the most likely shakeup today.
Another possible spot could be wide receiver, where Vidal Hazelton, Ronald Johnson and David Ausberry are all battling.

Do I think it was ridiculous for Lou Ferrigno Jr. to get a senior salute when he never practiced or played the entire season? One day I will list all the ridiculous aspects of the football program I've witnessed. There's usually plenty of examples. Such as the new sign that gives Howard Jones, a coachig legend, only co-billing for the practice field. Actually last year's senior salute was totally out of control when just about everyone poured out of the stands and was allowed to form the tunnel, an honor previously reserved for players. Heck, I was even standing there, next to the guy from JAG. Although I don't remember Ferrigno. But I would have been looking for someone with green skin if I heard the name Ferrigno.

USC cannot afford to lose John David Booty for its national title hopes. Everyone else could be replaced, at least temporarily.

The IM field will be destroyed by the new football complex, but Pete Carroll promised to let the students use the side practice field, which will be covered with Field Turf eventually.

Ah, a real topic. Who will win the EPL? I reckon, like Alan Hansen, it's a coin toss between Man Utd and Chelsea. But let's hope the Arsenal can sneak in there and make things interesting.

Radovich's experience makes him the top choice at tackle but Charles Brown's athleticism makes him an attractive choice. That gap could close but Brown game experience does not compare to Radovich. There would be an initial dropoff but often at USC, that evaporates once they get into the games. Example: Fili Moala last season at defensive tackle.
Among non starters, Brown and Butch Lewis have been tops this week.

No coach can guarantee a player admission. But if you have reasonable grades and a decent test score, you will get into USC as an athlete. The worse those grades are, the more difficult it gets.

If Taylor Mays played offense, he would have to wear a different number because he shares 2 with CJ Gable. Or at least wear a different jersey while on offense.

Barry Bonds hitting No. 756? Reason No. 1 to ignore baseball.

I continue to believe Josh Pinkard will find a way on the field. He's already working out a cornerback despite Carroll's spring insistence that he would play safety. So whether it's at safety or corner, he will play.

I don't really know of a drill that increases turnovers other than the normal drills teams do every practice.

I still consider Brendan Beal the likely next commit. As for the 2001 Oregon-USC game, the crowd's rowdy behavior toward USC players before the game (some would say insulting) left a lasting impression on Carroll for years to come.

Emmanuel Moody and Joe McKnight are similar backs but I do not think they cancel each other out. I believe USC would love to play both if they are showing plenty of pace in games and frustrating defenses. It would be a nice problem to have from USC's vantage point. Plus USC loves to rotate backs.

Pedalgate might be the biggest story I've ever covered at USC and I can't wait for each new revealing aspect. For instance, I discovered a bike Thursday nearly identical to Mitch Mustain's that had deliberately been placed on top of a wall outside the locker room at Heritage Hall. Alas, it had two perfect pedals. False alarm!
I do not know where this story will lead me, but I can only hope it's as interesting as the first week of Trojan TV.

David Beckham might make an appearance at a USC game, however he told Trojan officials that attending the Idaho game would be akin to showing up for the Manchester United-Dunfermline match this week and refuses to set foot in the Coliseum before the UCLA game.

I don't see anyone transferring before the season begins.

Pete Carroll decides if a player wears a retired number, although he consults the retired player first. It's doubtful to happen again soon, considering how great it turned out the last time.

I do not write the headlines for any of my articles. That is done by a copy editor. Heck, sometimes I don't even write my own articles.

I would not say any of the freshmen defensive lineman are ``not physical'' enough right now. It's Week 1. They should be overmatched at times. It happens to everyone.

Stafon Johnson's taunting display this week did not really set him back. Remember it came at the end of a long run, something USC needs more of. And LenDale White and Mike Williams played plenty despite sometimes getting a little overenthusiastic.

The running back situation remains murky with the younger players all having their moments this week. It's really going to be scrimmages that help determine playing time, along with injuries. Hershel Dennis seems to be coming slowly because of health issues. And Marc Tyler has redshirt written all over him at this point. Bradford, Moody, Johnson and McKnight are all pushing Chauncey Washington and CJ Gable.

Pinkard is practicing every day just like normal.

Ken Norton does serve as a cheerleader for the linebackers. If there was a leader,it's hard to say. Keith Rivers is quiet and Rey Maualuga marches to his own beat. Brian Cushing could be a leader but he's just now a full-time linebacker again. Eventually I could see Chris Galippo being a leader but not this year.
Let's just say there is no Oscar Lua around at this point.

Frankly, I'd be surprised if Daryl Gross or Greg Robinson is at Syracuse when USC plays the Orangemen in 2011. But maybe that means the Orangement might actually be good by the time that game rolls around.

I don't watch enough of UCLA to say which of their players could start at USC. Based on last year's game, I could say which of their coaches could start here.

Chris Galippo's looked good in practices but it's still a little early to say he could play although as I suspected, he seems to be moving up the depth chart already.

What, no more Mustain questions?